“We’re looking forward to it” – Conor Bradley previews Liverpool’s clash with Leeds United | OneFootball

Liverpool and Conor Bradley target momentum boost against Leeds United

Liverpool head into New Year’s Day with something they have craved for much of the season, rhythm, results, and a growing sense that the pieces are beginning to click under Arne Slot. Four straight wins in all competitions tends to do that, even if the manager, staff, and players will tell you, correctly, that “winning” and “playing well for 90 minutes” are not always the same thing.

That last part matters because Leeds United are coming to Anfield with the sort of edge that makes matches messy, frantic, and oddly revealing. If Liverpool want to keep the run going, and keep it convincing, they will need more than a good spell and a strong finish.

Conor Bradley sets tone for Liverpool focus

Conor Bradley’s comments this week were notable for their simplicity. No grand statements, no talk of titles, just a clear message that Liverpool feel they are in a good place and must keep pushing standards.

“It feels like we’re in a really good moment at the minute,” Bradley told Liverpoolfc.com. “Obviously we’ve had some really good results recently, so we’ve just got to keep that up.

“We’ve got another tough game coming up now with Leeds. We’ve just got to keep trying to build this momentum and keep it going.

“I think we’ve had some really good results recently, but I think the performances can definitely still get better.

“That’s something we’ve got to strive to do, and hopefully we can do that in the upcoming games.”

It reads like the sort of internal message Slot would appreciate. Liverpool have been winning, but Bradley is right, there is still room for sharper control with and without the ball, especially once opponents start gambling late on.

Photo: IMAGO

Leeds United visit brings memories of 3-3 at Elland Road

Leeds United have already shown they can drag Liverpool into their tempo. Less than a month ago it finished 3-3 at Elland Road, a game that had everything, swings of momentum, defensive nerves, and a stoppage time sting as Ao Tanaka struck in the 96th minute.

Bradley does not need reminding.

“Leeds are a really good team – we found that out a few weeks ago when we went to Elland Road.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Daniel Farke’s side will take heart from that chaos. For Liverpool, the task is to impose order, to make it a Premier League match on their terms, rather than a track meet decided by who blinks last.

Wolves win highlights Bradley’s impact and Liverpool game management

Liverpool’s latest win, 2-1 over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, was the kind of result that boosts confidence but also leaves a note in the margins. Wolves applied real pressure late on, and Liverpool needed interventions, not flourishes, to close it out.

Bradley, returning after a knock, delivered the key moment with a last ditch tackle that kept the points at home.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fit and I’m feeling ready. I’m really looking forward to the game,” the full-back said.

“Obviously it was a big tackle against Wolves because they were on top of us for probably the last 25 minutes. It was a really important win and I’m just happy I could help.”

For Slot, that is value beyond tactics, players who can rescue a match when control slips.

Florian Wirtz milestone adds extra threat for Liverpool

There was another subplot against Wolves, Florian Wirtz finally getting his first goal for the club, after already stacking up assists. It mattered because Liverpool look different when he plays with freedom between the lines.

“I was buzzing for him,” Bradley said of the No.7. “Obviously he’s had to wait a little bit of time for it, but I was so happy for him. He’s such a terrific player. We see it in training every day, how good he is with the ball.

“You’d rather have him on your team than not on your team, put it that way. He’s terrific to have.

“You can sort of just give him the ball in any area of the pitch and he’s able to do something with it and keep the ball for us. He’s so important to have and we’re lucky to have him.”

If Leeds United arrive looking to press and provoke, Liverpool have weapons to punish that approach. Bradley’s energy, Wirtz’s craft, and a team chasing complete performances, it is a familiar recipe at Anfield, but it still needs the right execution.